With America’s economy in its current state, it is little wonder that many students are searching for careers elsewhere. Interning and finding jobs in foreign countries is becoming more and more popular as the value of the dollar gets worse and worse.

The Heigi Family Career Center hosted a panel on Tuesday, March 24 for students interested in working abroad. It started at 5 p.m. in the Hughes Trigg atriums and lasted an hour while interested students listened to and questioned the three-person panel.

The panelists all agreed that connections were one of the most important factors of which prospective students should be aware. SMU alumnus Catherine Jones from Galactic Marketing and Incentives told students that before they move to a foreign country, the first thing they should do it try to find alumni that can give you a foothold into that country.

Noelle McAlpine, an advisor for International and Latin America Studies, also stressed the importance of learning foreign languages. According to McAlpine, not being able to speak a foreign language severely limits the places where one can find a job. After all, how can a job be performed properly if there is no communication?

“My mantra to my students is to learn a foreign language,” McAlpine said. “And if you know one, learn another.”

Jon Haghayeghi, a current SMU student who interned in Poland last summer, agrees with McAlpine. However, he also pushed for students to look ahead and plan for their future. He told students to have an idea for what nation and industry they were interested in and to start preparing for it by learning the language and the customs.

But most importantly, he told students to get out into the world.

“The main goal is to get your foot in the door,” Haghayeghi said. “Getting a job abroad is the hardest part. Once you’re there, you can expand your options.”